“Talk the Talk: Engaging Teachers for Real Education Solutions”

Teaching can be rewarding. However, let’s face reality. The challenges teachers encounter are acknowledged, yet no effective actions are taken to address them. Here’s the kicker: not only is there a lack of support for teachers on a district or government level, but also teachers neglect to advocate for themselves, which fosters an environment where educators are reluctant to voice their thoughts, fearing they may be seen as less passionate about education. Talk about isolating? The prevailing notion is that since we chose this profession, we should simply endure its challenges, which has become the accepted norm.

Here’s the thing, I entered teaching with good intentions, like most. I knew the assignment. I wasn’t going to make much money, but I was going to make a difference. I was okay with that. Flash forward to 2019, my first year as a teacher and yes, the year COVID would strike. Now, here we are, expected to carry on as if nothing has changed, when in reality, everything has changed. Teaching methods, school environments, and student needs have all evolved. I spend my days thinking, “I understood the assignment, but I know I didn’t agree to to this?” Mere statements and hollow advocacy like “teachers should get paid more” fail to address the complex challenges we face and are frankly, insulting coming from most people. Whitney said it best, “children are the future.” Yet, it’s disheartening that this sentiment often seems disregarded.

Cue Edtech…The flourishing industry of educational technology presenting an enticing prospect from an outsider’s perspective. Leveraging technology to achieve student outcome goals? Sounds perfect! Aligning with the trajectory of our evolving world and seemingly providing invaluable daily support for teachers? I’m in. However, as a user of these Edtech platforms the reality has been very different. Edtech entrepreneurs develop products purported to solve various learning challenges, yet the end-users (HELLO, THEY’RE TEACHERS!) may not have requested these solutions or may prioritize other pressing concerns over what the entrepreneurs believe their products address. Many technological advancements, like AI or chatGBT, remain largely off teachers’ radars because they don’t directly address their actual problems. With that I say, TALK THE TALK. It’s crucial to involve teachers in the conversation. For Edtech startups to thrive, they should collaborate closely with educators to understand their needs and how their products can best serve both teachers and students. By giving teachers a seat at the table, we ensure that the solutions developed are practical, effective, and aligned with the real challenges they face in the classroom.
Let’s stay grounded in reality – no robot can offer the love and compassion essential for students’ learning and growth. Your product may have its strengths, but it can never replace a teacher. Let’s work together: I’ll share insights on how students learn, and you can educate me on maximizing the tool’s effectiveness in my daily teaching. Collaboration is key and that’s the tea!

• “I’m not using this online learning platform because I struggle with navigating it.”
• “Why do we have multiple online learning platforms with similar functions?”
• “We should consider using the same online resource as our district’s standardized test. Familiarity might improve student performance.”
• “We have numerous online reading tools but none for writing. Our students lack proficiency in writing.”